Method and apparatus to monitor account credential sharing in communication services

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system or method that collects or otherwise accesses information indicating connection patterns such as IP addresses being utilized by communication devices for communication services over a time period, where the communication devices use a same credential of a single account for accessing the communication services. Hubs can be identified according to groups of the communication devices that exhibit a particular sharing pattern such as having used the one or more common IP addresses. A prediction or estimation that the single account is engaging in sharing activity can be made based on an analysis of the hubs, such as based on a number of the hubs. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/999,907, filed Aug. 21, 2020. Allsections of the aforementioned application(s) and/or patent(s) areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus to monitoraccount credential sharing in communication services.

BACKGROUND

Over-The-Top (OTT) video services can deliver digital content directlythrough the Internet and is a rapidly growing industry. Typically, asubscription fee allows for content consumption that is intended to belimited to members of the immediate household only. However, there isgrowing concern regarding account sharing, which may occur whenunauthorized viewers outside of the subscribing household obtain thesubscriber's account identification and password to access content. Thiscan be intentional (e.g., when account owners give out credentials tofriends and family outside of the household) or unintentional (e.g.,when credentials are stolen, hacked, or shared beyond network). Accountsharing can compromise personal data security and/or legitimate contentdistribution. It can also represent a lost opportunity for revenue.

In some instances, allowing account sharing may have been a consciousdecision of some providers of OTT services to gain future subscribers.However, for providers trying to prevent account sharing (e.g., accesswhich is not in compliance with the subscriber agreement) some OTTstreaming video services try to mitigate it through measures such as:(1) limiting the number of devices per account, (2) limiting the numberof concurrent viewing streams, (3) device logout, and/or (4) passwordreset. However, these measures can be inadequate at combating accountsharing. The number of devices and concurrent streams can be inaccurateindicators of sharing: an account with two devices may be accountsharing, while another account may have ten devices all from the samehousehold. Device logout and password reset may not be successful if theactual password is intentionally shared or hacked, and moreover, theseapproaches can annoy customers and lead to incremental customer loss.Detecting account sharing can be challenging because current providersof OTT services typically may not have a high enough level of confidencethat the account sharing either is authorized or is unauthorized andoutside of the household.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a mapping of devices utilizing a service within the systemof FIG. 2A in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2D depicts another illustrative embodiment of a method inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for collecting or otherwise accessing information indicatingconnection patterns such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses beingutilized by communication devices for communication services over a timeperiod, where the communication devices use a same credential of asingle account for accessing the communication services. Hubs can beidentified according to groups of the communication devices that exhibita particular sharing pattern such as having used the one or more commonIP addresses. A prediction or estimation that the single account isengaging in sharing activity can be made based on an analysis of thehubs, such as based on a number of the hubs.

The capability of one or more embodiments described herein of detectingaccount sharing can be of significant value to a provider ofcommunication services, such as OTT companies, to proactively recoverlost revenue, design smarter business rules, and/or combat fraud. In oneor more embodiments, the ability to identify a higher likelihood ofaccount sharing provides providers (e.g., OTT companies) with theability to protect against those that demonstrate high risk behaviorsassociated with account sharing without impacting legitimate users,facilitating a better consumer experience. Other embodiments aredescribed in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure can be a method in whichmonitoring over a time period is performed by a processing systemincluding a processor, where the monitoring is of IP addresses beingutilized by a plurality of communication devices for OTT streamingservices, and where the plurality of communication devices use a samecredential of a single account for accessing the OTT streaming services.The method can include determining, by the processing system, groups ofcommunication devices of the plurality of communication devices thathave used one or more common IP addresses when accessing the OTTstreaming services during the time period. The method can includeidentifying, by the processing system, hubs according to the groups ofcommunication devices that have used the one or more common IPaddresses. The method can include comparing, by the processing system, anumber of the hubs to a hub threshold. The method can includepredicting, by the processing system, that the single account isengaging in sharing activity based on the comparing. The method caninclude performing a sharing mitigation action in response to aprediction that the single account is engaging in the sharing activity.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure a machine-readable medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processingsystem including a processor, facilitate performance of operations. Theoperations can include accessing information indicating IP addressesbeing utilized by a plurality of communication devices for communicationservices over a time period, where the plurality of communicationdevices use a same credential of a single account for accessing thecommunication services. The operations can include determining, from theinformation, groups of communication devices of the plurality ofcommunication devices that have used one or more common IP addresseswhen accessing the communication services during the time period. Theoperations can include identifying hubs according to the groups ofcommunication devices that have used the one or more common IPaddresses. The operations can include adjusting the hubs by adding orremoving one or more communication devices from one or more of the hubsresulting in adjusted hubs, where the adjusting is based on a type ofdevice satisfying a device category, consumption history for the one ormore communication devices, timing history for when the communicationservices were accessed during the time period for the one or morecommunication devices, location information when the communicationservices were accessed during the time period for the one or morecommunication devices, or a combination thereof. The operations caninclude predicting that the single account is engaging in sharingactivity based on the adjusted hubs and then performing a sharingmitigation action in response to a prediction that the single account isengaging in the sharing activity.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a devicecomprising a processing system including a processor, and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations. The operations can includeaccessing information indicating IP addresses being utilized by aplurality of communication devices for communication services over atime period, where the plurality of communication devices use a samecredential of a single account for accessing the communication services.The operations can include determining, from the information, groups ofcommunication devices of the plurality of communication devices thathave used one or more common IP addresses when accessing thecommunication services during the time period. The operations caninclude identifying hubs according to the groups of communicationdevices that have used the one or more common IP addresses. Theoperations can include adjusting the hubs by adding or removing one ormore communication devices from one or more of the hubs resulting inadjusted hubs, where the adjusting is based on characteristicsassociated with the communication services that were accessed during thetime period. The operations can include predicting that the singleaccount is engaging in sharing activity based on the adjusted hubs.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a communications network 100 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. In one or moreembodiments, communications network 100 enables communication servicesto be provided to various communication devices. As an example, a server180 operated by a content provider, service provider, or other entitycan provide various types of communication services including voice,video, data and/or messaging. For example, one or more servers 180 (onlyone of which is shown) can provide communication services, such as OTTvideo streaming 185, to the communications devices via a communicationsnetwork 125. In one embodiment, the communication services are providedutilizing accounts which require credentials for access, such asusernames (or other account identifiers) and passwords. For instance, asingle account can have a credential that includes a username andpassword, where the credential can be utilized by more than one deviceto access the communication services (at different times and/orsimultaneously).

In one or more embodiments, communications network 100 enables a processto be implemented for predicting, estimating, or determining sharingactivity associated with the single account. This process can beperformed for any number of accounts and/or performed for more than onecommunication service. For example, a server 190 (or the server 180managing the communication service) can perform the process. Forinstance, information can be accessed indicating IP addresses beingutilized by a plurality of communication devices for communicationservices over a time period, where the plurality of communicationdevices use a same credential of a single account for accessing thecommunication services. A determination can be made, from theinformation, of groups of communication devices of the plurality ofcommunication devices that have used one or more common IP addresseswhen accessing the communication services during the time period. Hubscan be identified according to the groups of communication devices thathave used the one or more common IP addresses. A prediction that thesingle account is engaging in sharing activity can be made based on theadjusted hubs. In one embodiment, the hubs can be adjusted by adding orremoving one or more communication devices from one or more of the hubsresulting in adjusted hubs, where the adjusting is based oncharacteristics associated with the communication services that wereaccessed during the time period.

The communications network 125 can provide broadband access 110 to aplurality of data terminals 114 via access terminal 112, wireless access120 to a plurality of mobile devices 124 and vehicle 126 via basestation or access point 122, voice access 130 to a plurality oftelephony devices 134, via switching device 132 and/or media access 140to a plurality of audio/video display devices 144 via media terminal142. In addition, communication network 125 is coupled to one or morecontent sources 175 of audio, video, graphics, text, and/or other media.While broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130 andmedia access 140 are shown separately, one or more of these forms ofaccess can be combined to provide multiple access services to a singleclient device (e.g., mobile devices 124 can receive media content viamedia terminal 142, data terminal 114 can be provided voice access viaswitching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway, or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system 200 functioning within the communication network100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.System 200 can include various devices that facilitate providingcommunication services including communication devices 210A-210G(collectively referred to as 210), 215A-215B (collectively referred toas 215), 220A-220C (collectively referred to as 220), 225A-225B(collectively referred to as 225), and 230, which can be of varioustypes including mobile devices, stationary devices, smartphones, set topboxes, media processing devices, gaming consoles, televisions, desktopcomputers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants, or othercomputing devices that can present communication services to a user. Thecommunication devices of system 200 can be located in various locations(e.g., residence, business premises, public premises such as a library,retail premises such as an internet café, travel facilities such as anairport, outdoors and so forth) such as communication devices 210A, 210Bat location 211X, communication device 210G at location 211Y,communication device 215A at location 216, communication devices 220B,220C at location 221, communication device 225A at location 226, andcommunication device 230 at location 231. Also, the locations of some ofthe communication devices of system 200 can change such as for mobilephones, laptop computers, other mobile devices, and so forth. Any numberof communication devices can be included in system 200.

In one or more embodiments, system 200 enables communication services tobe provided to the communications devices 210, 215, 220, 225, 230. Thetype of communication services can vary including voice, video, data,gaming, and/or messaging. For example, a content provider or otherentity can provide communication services, such as OTT video streaming185, to the communications devices 210, 215, 220, 225, 230 via the oneor more servers 180 (only one of which is shown) over a communicationsnetwork 250. The communications network 250 can include various devicesto facilitate providing and managing the communication servicesincluding devices (e.g., network elements) described with respect tosystem 100 of FIG. 1 or devices described with respect to otherembodiments herein.

Referring additionally to FIG. 2B, the communication devices are shownin a mapping 201 according to being categorized or otherwise groupedtogether into hubs 212, 217, 222, 227, 232. While five hubs are shown,any number of hubs of one or more and/or any number of devices of one ormore within a hub can exist based on the monitored connection patternsof the communication devices that are utilizing the particular accountfor the particular service during a particular time period. In one ormore embodiments, each account's devices can be grouped into hubs, wherea hub represents devices that have a relationship based on connectivitypatterns to one or more other devices in the same hub as describedherein. For example, a hub can be an estimation or approximation of ahousehold. In one embodiment, for each account, the number of hubs canbe determined, as well as a determination made as to which communicationdevices belong to which hubs. The number of hubs for an account can beindicative of sharing activity, such as at or above a threshold numberof hubs. The hub threshold can be determined in a number of differentways including analysis of other accounts to determine an average numberof hubs. The hub threshold can vary based on a number of factors, suchas geographic location, type of communication service, type of account,particular provider, and so forth.

Referring additionally to FIG. 2C, a method 260 can be performed (e.g.,by the server 180, server 190, and/or some other device) which cangenerate or otherwise identify the hubs as shown in the mapping 201. Forexample, method 260 can be or can utilize an algorithm (e.g., agraph-based algorithm) followed by an adjustment step which can beperformed for any number of communication services that utilize accountsand/or credentials, as well as performed for any number of accounts forthe same or different communication services. It should be understoodthat various types or combinations of types of algorithms can beutilized to identify hubs and is not limited to a graph algorithm, suchas growing a list or grouping algorithms.

At 262, account streaming data over a particular time period (e.g., apredetermined window such as one month, although other time periods canbe used) can be collected. The particular type of data can vary and caninclude IP addresses, identification of streamed content, time ofstreaming, and so forth. In one embodiment, location information for thedevices during streaming can be collected when available. At 264, acategorization of devices utilizing accounts can be performed, such ascreating a graph or mapping for each account with the devices that haveutilized the account for accessing the particular service in therelevant time period being nodes. An inference or estimation can be madethat a group of devices belonging to a particular hub is from a samehousehold according to the evidence of connectedness (e.g., pairs ofdevices utilizing at least one common IP address during the relevanttime period). It should be understood that in one or more embodiments, ahousehold (e.g., a hub) may not be a single location such as a singleresidence. In this example, different hubs do not share any device orany IP address at all, and they are estimated or inferred to be fromdifferent households. Although, as described herein, there can bedifferent hubs that are determined or predicted to be of a singlehousehold, such as a desktop computer located at a place of work of auser being in one hub and other devices of the user (some of which canbe located at a residence and others such as mobile devices havingvarying locations) being in another hub.

The categorization can be based on various categorization factors orcombinations of categorization factors as in 265 including IP addressroll-up such as only particular digits of the IP address are analyzed(e.g., IP addresses can be rolled up to the first three octets, sincethe fourth octet is usually the subnet). Another factor can be a devicecriteria based on streaming amount such as a minimum number of streamingsessions and/or a minimum amount of time streaming (e.g., the number ofstreaming sessions and/or the amount of time streaming as compared tothresholds that can be adjustable). Another factor can be streaming typesuch as video streaming, gaming, and so forth. Another factor can beedge criteria based on connections such as number of connections and/ornumber of times a common IP address was shared. For example, the numberof shared connections required to form an edge can be adjustable, suchas one, two, three, or another number greater than three. Another factorcan be edge criteria based on device type, such as only fixed devices,only devices that are video streaming, all devices that utilize aparticular communication service that is being monitored, and so forth.Another factor can be self-reported sharing information which can beutilized to further assess devices that belongs to hubs, adjust thethreshold(s) such as minimum amount of streaming or number of IPconnections shared, and/or improve the algorithm by incorporating theself-reported sharing information. Another factor can be based on devicebehavior, such as matching device behavior within a hub. As explainedherein, these categorizations factors can be adjustable includingchanging a streaming amount threshold for a device to be included in anyhub and/or changing the number of times that a pair (or other number) ofdevices must share a common IP address to be included in the same hub.

In one embodiment to generate the mapping 201, if two devices have beenobserved to use at least one common IP address (the threshold can beadjusted) during the same time window, an edge can be added to these twonodes. In this example, each connected component of the completed graphcan be a hub. For instance, a hub can be a group of devices observed toconnect with the same group of IP addresses. The dashed lines betweenpairs of communication devices in FIG. 2B represents the use of a commonIP address (which can be based on a minimum number of connections and/ora minimum number of common IP addresses utilized) during the same timewindow by the pair of devices. As can be seen in mapping 201, somedevices may utilize at least one common IP address with a single othercommunication device (e.g., a desktop computer 210G utilizing at leastone common IP address with smartphone 210C), while other devices mayutilize at least one common IP address with multiple other communicationdevices (e.g., IP enabled television 210A utilizing at least one commonIP address with IP enabled television 210B, smartphones 210C, D, E, andlaptop 210F. As can also be seen in mapping 201, IP enabled television210A does not utilize at least one common IP address with desktopcomputer 210G, but the desktop computer 210G is included within the hub212 as a result of a common IP address utilization for the service(during the relevant time period) with smartphone 210C, as representedby the dashed line. In one embodiment, the lack of a dashed line betweentwo communication devices (such as within a same hub) can indicate thatthe two particular devices did not utilize a common IP address duringthe relevant time period. As can further be seen in mapping 201, a hubcan have fixed devices in a single location such as in hub 217 atlocation 216, hub 222 at location 221, hub 227 at location 226, and hub232 at location 231. A hub can also have fixed devices in multiplelocations such as in hub 212 at location 211X and at location 211Y (ofsame hub). As explained herein, these different locations can be basedon various circumstances, such as a user utilizing one of thecommunication devices (e.g., smartphone 210C) at a residence and at avacation home. The locations could be other types as described hereinincluding a business, an IP café, a library, an airport, and so forth.Additionally, as described above, a hub can include any number ofdevices such as a single set top box 230 in hub 232 or multiplecommunication devices in each of hubs 212, 217, 222, and 227.

At 268, adjustments can be made to the mapped or otherwise determinedhubs shown in mapping 201. These adjustments can be made according tovarious adjustment factors or combinations of adjustment factors as in270 including IP type. In one embodiment as to IP type, an IP addresscan be deemed to be public if more than one account is observedconnected to it in the streaming data (e.g., cellular network, coffeeshop WiFi). In one embodiment as to IP type, an IP address can be deemedprivate if only one account is observed connected to it (e.g., privatehome WiFi). In this example, if all devices in a hub are connected toonly public IP addresses, then the hub can be discounted (e.g., removedfrom mapping or not considered when analyzing the number of hubs). Thispublic IP addresses-only hub may be a hub generated based on thesubscribing household connection patterns when they use separate devicesand stream away from home (e.g., during commute, during travel such asan airport, or at work). Another factor can be based on device type. Forexample, the presence of one or more stationary devices, such as mediaconsoles or smart televisions, in different hubs can be indicative thatthese hubs are from different households. Another factor can be based onconcurrent and/or repeat viewing. For example, the presence ofconcurrent viewing and/or repeat viewing of the same content acrossdifferent hubs can be indicative that these hubs are from differenthouseholds. Another factor can be based on time-of-day behaviors. Forexample, a comparison can be done of the time of day at which streamingtakes place across hubs. Very different patterns across hubs, or regularevening or weekend streaming from different hubs can be indicative thatthese hubs are from different households. Another factor can be based ongeography. For example, if hubs (or devices therein) are consistentlydetermined to be far away from one another (e.g., farther than adistance threshold), this can be indicative that these hubs are fromdifferent households. In one example, location services (e.g., GPS data)can be utilized to determine where a mobile phone is located when it isutilizing the account during the relevant time period. Continuing withthis example, if the mobile phone is of a second hub (i.e., does notutilize a common IP address with any communication devices of a firsthub during the relevant time period) and consistently is located morethan a threshold away from a location of the first hub (e.g., locationsdetermined for fixed and/or mobile devices of the first hub) then thiscan be indicative that these hubs are from different households. Anotherexample of geographic determinations is based on the IP addresses. IPaddresses can carry geo-location information, so for IP check-ins of adevice (which is not limited to mobile devices with GPS), adetermination can be made as to where the device is geographically andthis information can be used to adjust for the hubs as described herein(although some VPN connections may not allow for this). In anotherexample, the geographic location of a hub can also be detected by theradio cell that the mobile devices of the hub communicate with. If theradio cells are far away between hubs, the hubs are likely fromdifferent households.

Based on the mapping or categorization of hubs at 272, method 260 can beused for predicting or estimating sharing activity, such as based on acomparison of number of hubs to a threshold number of hubs. Otheranalysis of the hubs can also be performed for making the estimationincluding any location information associated with hubs (e.g., locationof hub at a college dormitory or a distance between hubs), streamingfrequency associated with the hubs, viewer feedback informationassociated with the hubs (e.g., viewer feedback indicating that one ofthe hubs is for a child at college), and so forth. The prediction orestimation of sharing activity can also trigger mitigation actions, suchas offering a service upgrade to add friends and family, and so forth.

Method 260 can be repeated for any number of accounts of a communicationservice. Method 260 can be repeated for different communication servicesfrom a same or different provider. In one embodiment, patterns detectedfrom different services (e.g., having different accounts) for the samedevices (or at least some overlapping devices) can be utilized as partof predicting or estimating sharing activity.

Method 260, as well as the other embodiments described herein, provide amore efficient method of mitigating sharing activity and/or monitoringfor sharing activity. Existing approaches to reduce sharing activityinclude limiting the number of devices or concurrent streams; and devicelogout or password resets (e.g., periodic). However, these approachesmay not reduce sharing activity, and can be intrusive, as well asineffective against intentional password sharing where the parties willsimply exchange the new password.

Method 260, as well as the other embodiments described herein, providean intelligent and efficient method of identifying sharing activity. Forexample, instead of looking at one dimensional attributes such as numberof devices, method 260 can make use of the connections between devicesand IP addresses (or other connection parameters), and can incorporatefurther information from IP type, device type, concurrency, repeatviewing, time-of-day, and/or geography. In one or more embodiments, theresults of method 260 (e.g., a prediction of sharing activity or nosharing activity per account) can be utilized as factors in policydecisions associated with a particular communication service, such aspricing, types of upgrade packages, and so forth. Method 260 not onlypredicts or estimates sharing, but also can obtain more insight into thenature of sharing and monitor how sharing evolves over time. Forexample, the growth of sharing activity can be predicted or estimatedutilizing different time periods of monitoring. The growth prediction orestimation can be utilized for determining potential mitigation actions,selecting a particular mitigation action for a particular account,and/or can be a factor in a policy decision with respect to theparticular communication service.

In one embodiment, method 260 allows estimating or predicting whichdevices are using shared credentials (e.g., hubs consistently far awayfrom subscriber's physical address). Then, usage patterns, interests, orlikely demographics can be examined and a targeted up-sell or promotionplan can be offered such as via a display on one or more of the devices.

In another embodiment, the examples described with respect to FIGS. 2A-Ccan determine hubs based on other connection patterns or combination ofpatterns, such as based on IP addresses and another connection parameterthat is being commonly utilized by the devices.

FIG. 2D depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 280 in accordancewith various aspects described herein. The following is described for asingle account, however, method 280 can be performed for any number ofaccounts. At 282, common connection parameters can be determined fordevices providing a communication service which utilize a credential andan account for enabling access to the service. For example, where thecommon connection parameter is IP addresses (although other commonparameters can be used), monitoring over a time period can be performedfor IP addresses that are being utilized by a plurality of communicationdevices for a communication service (e.g., OTT streaming servicesalthough other services can be monitored). The plurality ofcommunication devices is using a same credential of a single account foraccessing the service. A determination can be made as to groups ofcommunication devices of the plurality of communication devices thathave used one or more common IP addresses when accessing the servicesduring the time period.

At 284, an identification of hubs can be made according to the groups ofcommunication devices that have used the one or more common IPaddresses. At 286, the hubs can be adjusted to improve the prediction orestimation as to households. For example, the adjustment can be addingor removing one or more communication devices from one or more of thehubs resulting in adjusted hubs, where the adjusting is based oncharacteristics associated with the communication service that wasaccessed during the time period.

At 288, a prediction can be made that a single account is engaging insharing activity. For example, the sharing prediction can be based oncomparing a number of the hubs to a hub threshold. If it is predictedthat there is no sharing activity then method 260 can return todetermining common connection parameters, such as based on a differentconnection parameter or for a different account. If it is predicted thatthere is sharing activity, then method 260 can proceed to 290 where asharing mitigation action can be taken.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2D, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

One or more of the embodiments described herein provide an effective wayto detect different households utilizing single accounts, therebypredicting or detecting sharing behavior. The embodiments describedherein can be more accurate at predicting or detecting sharing activitythan existing industry solutions. The embodiments described herein canprovide insights into the nature of sharing activity and can enables ananalysis and targeting of sharing parties.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can work on existingstreaming viewership data and do not require extra data gathering,although other data (or other types of data) can be generated,particularly as time passes. One or more of the embodiments describedherein do not require large-scale surveying, which can be intrusive andexpensive. One or more of the embodiments described herein provide OTTproviders with actionable insights. For example, they (or otherproviders of other communication services) can use the hub informationto: identify and stop egregious sharing or fraud; design proactivebusiness rules to limit account sharing and fraud; proactively offercustomized or targeted up-sell plans or new account promotion in orderto increase or maximize subscribers and revenue; continuously orfrequently monitor sharing behavior over time to spot new trends anddesign preventative measures.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can be applied to othercommunication services and/or devices, such as those that link via an IPaddress. One or more of the embodiments described herein can fine tuneedges during hub mapping, such as based on requiring two or moreinstances of common IP addresses; a number of IP addresses in commonsatisfying a threshold; rolling or unrolling of IP addresses; and soforth. One or more of the embodiments described herein can utilizethresholds that are adjustable for identifying or predicting households,such as the number of common IP addresses that are required or thenumber of times a common IP address was shared.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can be designed oradjusted to avoid or reduce false positives in predicting sharingactivity. This can facilitate maintaining a good or strong relationshipwith the subscriber. One or more of the mitigation actions taken whensharing activity has been predicted can be selected to maintain a goodor strong relationship with the subscriber, such as providing an offerfor a family/friends plan upgrade rather than cancelling service ortaking another action that may weaken the relationship with thesubscriber. In one or more embodiments, the detection of sharingactivity can be used in other ways, in addition to or in place of adirect mitigation action for each account, such as changing policies ofthe communication service.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can be utilized toidentify or estimate types of households, such as a college student at adifferent location from a residence; a vacation home; a lunch breakwhere consumption is at a different location (e.g., business phone athome, personal phone at business or at a coffee shop during lunch).Users can be part of a single household while consuming at differentlocations such as a user that owns a residence and a vacation home, andso forth. Other information can be utilized to further distinguishbetween consumption at different locations that is in compliance withthe account and subscriber agreement as compared to consumption atdifferent locations that is not in compliance, such as consumptionpatterns (e.g., timing, type of content), viewer feedback, and so forth.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can utilize thresholdswhich allow users (e.g., content service providers) to be more lenientor more aggressive in estimating or identifying unauthorized use ofcredentials. One or more of the embodiments described herein can adjustthe process based on location information, such as where there are validreasons for multiple locations including college kids, vacation homes,and so forth. As described herein, in one embodiment, consumptionpatterns can indicate that there is a student at college or there is avacation home (such as detecting similar viewing as at home).

One or more of the embodiments described herein can define hubs based onvarious detected patterns (over a particular time period) betweendevices (e.g., various data associated with connections and streaming)which can also be combinations of patterns. These patterns can includecommon IP addresses as described herein. One or more of the embodimentsdescribed herein can utilize a time window which can vary in size,combination of sizes. The time window can also be continuously orperiodically repeated.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can utilize the numberof hubs for an account to select the particular mitigation action. Forexample, if the number of estimated hubs for an account is above a firstthreshold (e.g., acquaintance sharing threshold) but below a secondthreshold (e.g., egregious or fraudulent threshold), then a mitigationaction can be selected in which an offer can be sent (e.g., via emailand/or displayed at one or more devices) for a package with moreconcurrent streaming (e.g., a friends and family plan). In anotherembodiment, if the number of estimated hubs for the account is aboveboth the first threshold and above the second threshold (e.g., egregiousor fraudulent threshold), then a different mitigation action can beselected, such as requiring a password reset (e.g., including monitoringin a subsequent time window if the number of hubs decreases for theaccount) and/or contacting the subscriber associated with the account.

In another embodiment, predicted or detected patterns (including thenumber of hubs, locations of hubs, and so forth) can be utilized tochange mitigation strategy, including selecting an offer, such asoffering a friends and family package or offering a package with moreconcurrent streaming numbers allowed.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can utilize the numberof hubs, the growth of the number of hubs (over different time periods),frequency of changes to the devices within a hub(s) and/or other factors(e.g., location data, consumption history, timing of consumption, and soforth) to distinguish between predicted sharing activity that isintentional sharing vs. fraudulent. For instance, an account having anextremely large number of hubs (e.g., greater than a fraudulentthreshold), such as where the number of hubs is determined to be toolarge to be users sharing with friends and family, can be subject to amitigation action that involves resolving fraud (e.g., a stolenpassword). In another embodiment, the stability of hubs of an account(over different time periods) can be a factor in distinguishing betweenpredicted sharing activity that is intentional sharing vs. fraudulent,such as frequently changing hubs and/or frequently changing devicesbeing indicative of fraud (e.g., a stolen password).

One or more of the embodiments described herein can provide upgradeoffers (e.g., upgrade to family and friends package) in various wayssuch as emails or displaying at one or more devices. For example, theoffers can be sent to one, some or all devices of: all hubs or selectedhub(s) (e.g., a single most active hub, the most active hubs, a singlehub with the most devices, or the hubs with the most devices).

As connection technology changes including any future changes to IPaddresses, one or more of the embodiments described herein can continueto determine patterns with respect to the use of the future connectiontechnology and/or future changes to IP addresses (e.g., detectingpatterns provided that random IP addresses are not being utilized).

One or more of the embodiments described herein can detect otherpatterns, such as GPS signals showing locations (e.g., in conjunctionwith IP addresses). In one embodiment, the patterns can be based on anycharacteristic or parameter that identifies a connection point so thatdevices can be determined to be part of a household, such as co-located(e.g., within a house), although as described herein a household caninclude different locations.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can adjust a mitigationaction where it is determined that one or more of the hubs have otheraccounts or subscriber agreements associated with the hub (e.g., a usercould be at friend's house but chooses to use own account rather thanfriend's account for streaming a video). In this example, the adjustmentto the mitigation action can be cancelling an action to send a friendsand family package offer or cancelling sending a warning notice.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can be applied to anystreaming service, and/or other communication services including gamingservices. One or more of the embodiments described herein can predict orestimate sharing activity based on hubs with or without utilizinglocation data and/or with or without utilizing subscriber information.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can identify a main hub,associated hubs, and/or non-associated hubs. For example, a number ofdevices within a hub (e.g., the hub with largest number of devices),subscriber information, location information, IP type, and/or devicetype can be utilized in the identification. Other information can alsobe utilized to facilitate determining the main hub, associated hubs,and/or non-associated hubs, such as consumption patterns (e.g., timing,type of content), viewer feedback, and so forth.

One or more of the embodiments described herein can identify or estimatehubs based on a determination of an address type for one or more commonIP addresses, where the address type includes a public address and aprivate address, where the determination of the public address for aparticular IP address of the one or more common IP addresses is based ona plurality of accounts (e.g., satisfy a public threshold) utilizing theparticular IP address when accessing the communication services duringthe relevant time period, and where the determination of the privateaddress for a particular IP address of the one or more common IPaddresses is based on a single account (or less than a private thresholdsuch as three or less) utilizing the particular IP address whenaccessing the communication services during the relevant time period. Itcan be significant to detect and monitor account sharing to ensure theprivacy of users' account data and/or to prevent potential revenue lossfor organizations.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of communicationnetwork 100, the subsystems and functions of system 200, and methods260, 280 presented in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. For example, virtualizedcommunication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in part collectingor otherwise accessing information indicating connection patterns suchas IP addresses being utilized by communication devices forcommunication services over a time period, where communication devicesuse a same credential of a single account for accessing thecommunication services. Hubs can be identified according to groups ofthe communication devices that exhibit a particular sharing pattern suchas having used the one or more common IP addresses. A prediction orestimation that the single account is engaging in sharing activity canbe made based on an analysis of the hubs, such as based on a number ofthe hubs.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1), suchas an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part collecting or otherwise accessinginformation indicating connection patterns such as IP addresses beingutilized by communication devices for communication services over a timeperiod, where communication devices use a same credential of a singleaccount for accessing the communication services. Hubs can be identifiedaccording to groups of the communication devices that exhibit aparticular sharing pattern such as having used the one or more common IPaddresses. A prediction or estimation that the single account isengaging in sharing activity can be made based on an analysis of thehubs, such as based on a number of the hubs.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries, or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4, the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display informationassociated with computer 402 via any communication means, including viathe Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor 444, acomputer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (notshown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part collecting or otherwise accessing informationindicating connection patterns such as IP addresses being utilized bycommunication devices for communication services over a time period,where communication devices use a same credential of a single accountfor accessing the communication services. Hubs can be identifiedaccording to groups of the communication devices that exhibit aparticular sharing pattern such as having used the one or more common IPaddresses. A prediction or estimation that the single account isengaging in sharing activity can be made based on an analysis of thehubs, such as based on a number of the hubs.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part collecting orotherwise accessing information indicating connection patterns such asIP addresses being utilized by communication devices for communicationservices over a time period, where communication devices use a samecredential of a single account for accessing the communication services.Hubs can be identified according to groups of the communication devicesthat exhibit a particular sharing pattern such as having used the one ormore common IP addresses. A prediction or estimation that the singleaccount is engaging in sharing activity can be made based on an analysisof the hubs, such as based on a number of the hubs.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive, or other forms of sensing technology to detecthow much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion ofthe touch screen display. This sensing information can be used tocontrol the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of theuser interface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only and doesnot otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining, and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches, and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: monitoring over a timeperiod, by a processing system including a processor, Internet Protocol(IP) addresses being utilized by a plurality of communication devicesfor Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services, the plurality ofcommunication devices using a same credential of a single account foraccessing the OTT streaming services; generating, by the processingsystem, a graph having a plurality of nodes corresponding to theplurality of communication devices, and edges that connect nodescorresponding to communication devices that used one or more common IPaddresses when accessing the OTT streaming services during the timeperiod; determining, by the processing system, groups of connected nodesin the graph to identify hubs corresponding to groups of communicationdevices that have used the one or more common IP addresses; comparing,by the processing system, a number of the hubs to a hub threshold;predicting, by the processing system, that the single account isengaging in a sharing activity based on the comparing; and performing,by the processing system, a sharing mitigation action in response to thepredicting that the single account is engaging in the sharing activity.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the groups of communication devicesinclude first and second communication devices of a first hub of thehubs, and wherein a first location of the first communication deviceduring use of the OTT streaming services is remote from a secondlocation of the second communication device during use of the OTTstreaming services.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the groups ofcommunication devices include a third communication device of the firsthub, wherein the third communication device is a mobile communicationdevice, wherein the first and third communication devices have each useda first common IP address of the one or more common IP addresses whenaccessing the OTT streaming services during the time period, and whereinthe second and third communication devices have each used a secondcommon IP address of the one or more common IP addresses when accessingthe OTT streaming services during the time period.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the first communication device has not used the secondcommon IP address when accessing the OTT streaming services during thetime period, and wherein the second communication device has not usedthe first common IP address when accessing the OTT streaming servicesduring the time period.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the groups ofcommunication devices include fourth communication devices of a secondhub, wherein a third location of the fourth communication devices isremote from the first and second locations of the first and secondcommunication devices, respectively.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinthe fourth communication devices when accessing the OTT streamingservices during the time period have not used any of the one or morecommon IP addresses that were used by any communication devices of thefirst hub including the first and second communication devices whenaccessing the OTT streaming services during the time period.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the generating the graph comprises formingthe edges based on each communication device utilizing more than athreshold number of the one or more common IP addresses when accessingthe OTT streaming services during the time period.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the generating the graph comprises forming the edgesbased on each communication device accessing the OTT streaming servicesduring the time period more than a threshold number of times utilizingat least one of the one or more common IP addresses.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the generating the graph comprises forming the edgesbased on a type of device satisfying a device category.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the generating the graph comprises forming the edgesbased on consumption history for one or more communication devices. 11.The method of claim 1, wherein the generating the graph comprisesforming the edges based on timing history for when the OTT streamingservices were accessed during the time period for one or morecommunication devices.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the generatingthe graph comprises forming the edges based on location information whenaccessing the OTT streaming services during the time period for one ormore communication devices.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thesharing mitigation action comprises a reset requirement for thecredential.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the sharing mitigationaction comprises generating an offer to change access terms of thesingle account.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating thegraph comprises forming the edges based on a determination of an addresstype for the one or more common IP addresses, wherein the address typeincludes a public address and a private address, wherein thedetermination of the public address for a particular IP address of theone or more common IP addresses is based on a number of accountutilizing the particular IP address when accessing the OTT streamingservices during the time period satisfying a first threshold, whereinthe determination of the private address for a particular IP address ofthe one or more common IP addresses is based on the number of accountsutilizing the particular IP address when accessing the OTT streamingservices during the time period satisfying a second threshold.
 16. Anon-transitory, machine-readable medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processing system including aprocessor, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: monitoring over a time period, Internet Protocol (IP)addresses being utilized by a plurality of communication devices forOver-The-Top (OTT) streaming services, the plurality of communicationdevices using a same credential of a single account for accessing theOTT streaming services; generating a graph having a plurality of nodescorresponding to the plurality of communication devices, and edges thatconnect nodes corresponding to communication devices that used one ormore common IP addresses when accessing the OTT streaming servicesduring the time period; determining groups of connected nodes in thegraph to identify hubs corresponding to groups of communication devicesthat have used the one or more common IP addresses; comparing a numberof the hubs to a hub threshold; predicting that the single account isengaging in a sharing activity based on the comparing; and performing asharing mitigation action in response to the predicting that the singleaccount is engaging in the sharing activity.
 17. The non-transitory,machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the generating the graphcomprises forming the edges based on each communication device utilizingmore than a threshold number of the one or more common IP addresses whenaccessing the OTT streaming services during the time period.
 18. Thenon-transitory, machine-readable medium of claim 16, wherein thegenerating the graph comprises forming the edges based on eachcommunication device accessing the OTT streaming services during thetime period more than a threshold number of times utilizing at least oneof the one or more common IP addresses.
 19. A device, comprising: aprocessing system including a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processing system,facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:monitoring over a time period, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses beingutilized by a plurality of communication devices for Over-The-Top (OTT)streaming services, the plurality of communication devices using a samecredential of a single account for accessing the OTT streaming services;generating a graph having a plurality of nodes corresponding to theplurality of communication devices, and edges that connect nodescorresponding to communication devices that used one or more common IPaddresses when accessing the OTT streaming services during the timeperiod; determining groups of connected nodes in the graph to identifyhubs corresponding to groups of communication devices that have used theone or more common IP addresses; comparing a number of the hubs to a hubthreshold; predicting that the single account is engaging in a sharingactivity based on the comparing; and performing a sharing mitigationaction in response to the predicting that the single account is engagingin the sharing activity.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein thegenerating the graph comprises forming the edges based on eachcommunication device accessing the OTT streaming services during thetime period more than a threshold number of times utilizing at least oneof the one or more common IP addresses.